Zone

Crash of a Cessna 441 Conquest II in DuPage: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1986 at 0851 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N241FW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
DuPage – Cleveland
MSN:
441-0241
YOM:
1982
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
10200
Aircraft flight hours:
1615
Circumstances:
The pilot (a part time employee of the owner) was ferrying the aircraft for maintenance. Witnesses, who saw the pilot before take- off, noted that his speech was slurred and that he seemed angry because a tug would not start. One witness characterized him as being 'very mad' and said his face was 'flushed red.' The aircraft was observed to takeoff in a high nose-up attitude and climb about 500 to 1,000 feet before turning to the southwest and leveling. Subsequently, the plane turned back toward the airport, then it crashed and burned approximately 1-1/2 mile ssw of the airport while on a heading of northeast. Impact occurred while the aircraft was descending in a slightly left wing low attitude. The wreckage was scattered over an area that was approximately 600 feet long and about 45 feet wide at the widest point. According to witnesses, the engines were operating normally when the aircraft crashed. No preimpact mechanical problem was found. A toxicology check of the pilot's liver tissue fluid showed an alcohol level of 2,26‰. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
2. (c) impairment (alcohol) - pilot in command
3. Ifr procedure - initiated
4. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
5. (f) weather condition - fog
6. Climb - delayed
7. (c) altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
8. (c) descent - not corrected - pilot in command
9. (f) psychological condition - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680FLP in Columbia

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1980 at 2222 LT
Registration:
N1167Z
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cleveland - Columbia
MSN:
680-1499-16
YOM:
1965
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6150
Captain / Total hours on type:
225.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Columbia Airport, while initiating a last turn to intercept the glide, the pilot modified the position of the fuel selector from the auxiliary tanks to the main tank when both engines lost power. He attempted a forced landing when the airplane struck a dirt bank and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Rough terrain,
- Both auxiliary tanks near empty.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Dayton

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1979 at 1425 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N136C
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cleveland - Saint Louis
MSN:
BA-79
YOM:
1955
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1850
Captain / Total hours on type:
773.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a ferry flight from Cleveland to Saint Louis. While in normal cruise, he encountered engine problems, informed ATC and was vectored to Dayton-Wilbur Wright Field. On final approach, the airplane was too low, struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot misused or failed to use flaps,
- Complete failure of one engine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Savoy: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 9, 1978 at 1826 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N26AN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Savoy - Cleveland
MSN:
31-57
YOM:
1968
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
1502
Captain / Total hours on type:
49.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Savoy-Willard Airport, while climbing, the airplane suffered an engine failure. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in an open field located near Champaign. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb due to master and connecting rods failure. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Material failure,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Connecting rod bolt or nut failure for undetermined reasons,
- Pilot FAA check not completed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C-45H Expeditor in Detroit: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1977 at 0403 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N125TF
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Detroit
MSN:
AF-351
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6331
Captain / Total hours on type:
851.00
Circumstances:
On final approach by night to Detroit-Willow Run (Ypsilanti) Airport, the pilot encountered foggy conditions. He failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain on final approach due to improper IFR operation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Visibility half a mile or less,
- Weather conditions below minimums.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18 Mk. 3TM in Cairo

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1976 at 0206 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N3128B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cairo - Cleveland
MSN:
A-776
YOM:
1952
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8700
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
While taking off by night from Cairo Airport, the twin engine airplane stalled and crash landed on the runway. It went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stall during initial climb after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-61 Aerostar (Ted Smith 601) off Chicago: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1973 at 0525 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N8MW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Chicago
MSN:
61-0029
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a cargo flight from Cleveland to Chicago. While he was approaching Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs Airport by night, weather conditions worsened with fog and a limited visibility. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into Lake Michigan about 1,5 mile northeast of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent following improper in-flight decisions. The following factors were reported:
- Continued under VFR mode in adverse weather conditions,
- Spatial disorientation,
- Fog,
- Sighted field cancelled IFR,
- Weather deteriorated with 2 miles visibility in fog.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S off Cleveland: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N1900R
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland - Detroit
MSN:
BA-25
YOM:
1955
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
22000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1000.00
Circumstances:
Crashed into Lake Erie en route from Cleveland to Detroit. The wreckage was never found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500B off North Madison: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1971 at 1415 LT
Registration:
N707CA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ashtabula - Cleveland
MSN:
500-1143-79
YOM:
1962
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2650
Captain / Total hours on type:
250.00
Circumstances:
While flying along the coast of Ohio, the pilot encountered technical problems with the right engine. He decided to shut it down and to feather its propeller but mistakenly shut down the left engine. The airplane lost speed then entered a dive and crashed into Lake Erie off North Madison. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right magneto in flight. The following factors were reported:
- Improper maintenance (maintenance personnel), servicing and inspection,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- The pilot feathered the wrong engine,
- Failure of both engines,
- Wrong cap screws to secure the right engine magnetos,
- Inadvertent feathering of left propeller in flight, left engine found operable.
Final Report:

Crash of a Volpar E18S in Columbia: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1971 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N47A
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cleveland – Columbia – Fort Myers
MSN:
BA-153
YOM:
1956
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Captain / Total flying hours:
1504
Captain / Total hours on type:
35.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Cleveland to Fort Myers with an intermediate stop at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, South Carolina. On approach, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to foggy conditions and obtained a special VFR clearance. On final, as he was unable to locate the airport, he decided to make a go-around when the airplane struck the ground and crashed in flames one mile short of runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Improper IFR operation. The following factors were reported:
- Weather considerably worse than forecast,
- Low ceiling, rain and fog,
- Special VFR clearance.
Final Report: